A forum of Catholic Thought

Behind every statistic is a storyMichael Reardon

My Saturday morning routine consists of waking up early, lacing up my hiking shoes, popping in the AirPods, and heading out for a walkabout. These are not the royal variety of a walkabout where royalty ...

Into the Deep: The tradition of the Blessing of the FleetRebecca Maitland

This past Corpus Christi weekend, June 21-22, Archbishop Richard G. Henning led "Into the Deep," the first Eucharistic procession by sea in the history of the Archdiocese of Boston. The procession began ...

Scripture Reflection for June 22, Corpus ChristiDeacon Greg Kandra

Gn 14:18-20 Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4 1 Cor 11:23-26 Lk 9:11b-17 Of all the dramatic moments from Pope Francis' funeral in April, what many of us will remember was that long journey in the popemobile to ...

The episcopal consecration of Bishop James Augustine HealyViolet Hurst

Last Monday, June 2, marked the 150th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of James Augustine Healy as the second Bishop of Portland, Maine. James Augustine Healy was born into slavery in Jones ...

'De-extincting' long-vanished animal species?Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk

Several private companies have set out to "resurrect" extinct species using DNA and cloning technologies, with ongoing efforts to revive the dire wolf, wooly mammoth, dodo bird, and various other ancient ...

All I really need to know I learned in kindergartenEileen McLaughlin

All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten ... and Judy Norton was my teacher. Last week, after attending Mass with the Our Lady Academy school in Waltham, I stood outside the church to greet ...

Scripture Reflection for June 8, 2025, PentecostDeacon Greg Kandra

Acts 2:1-11 Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 OR Rom 8:8-17 Jn 20:19-23 We all heard it when we were kids, that dire warning: "Don't play with fire!" "Stay away from the stove, it's ...

MCA Boston Grows and Gratitude FlowsDaria Braithwaite

First founded in 1843 by Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), a Pontifical Mission Society, continues to foster and inspire a missionary spirit among children. ...

Lessons from Mr. RogersMichael Reardon

Growing up as a child of the late 70s and early 80s, my early education and development included a steady diet of "Sesame Street," "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood," "Romper Room," and "The Electric Company." ...

Scripture Reflection for May 25, 2025, Sixth Sunday of EasterDeacon Greg Kandra

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Rv 21:10-14, 22-23 Jn 14:23-29 Right about now, this might be the most important sentence we hear in church: "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Maybe ...